Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez declined an opportunity for a third career All-Star selection Sunday, choosing to stick with plans that already were in motion to travel home to the ­Dominican Republic with his family for the break.

''It was the last day, so I already have plans for my family,'' he said. ''It's just too late.''

A third-base spot opened on the National League roster when elected starter Placido Polanco of the Philadelphia Phillies was scratched because of a sore back. NL manager Bruce Bochy selected Ramirez to replace Polanco and contacted the Cubs on Sunday.

Ramirez finished the first half hitting .298 with 15 home runs and 51 RBI — numbers that far exceed most major-league third basemen.

''If [they asked Saturday], probably,'' Ramirez said of accepting. ''It gives you a day to [adjust]. But I show up this morning, and they told me. No chance. I couldn't make it.''